Canadian Seed Growers Association votes against joining Seeds Canada

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The Canadian Seed Growers Association (CSGA) — the last of five seed organizations to vote on the amalgamated industry group Seeds Canada — has voted against joining in a vote of 337 in favour, 414 against.

A two-thirds majority vote was necessary for the amalgamation to go forward.

Seeds Canada is a proposed merger of the Canadian Plant Technology Agency; Commercial Seed and Analysts Association of Canada; Canadian Seed Growers Association; Canadian Seed Institute; and, Canadian Seed Trade Association.

The other four organizations have voted in favour of amalgamation.

Lorne Hadley, executive director of the Canadian Plant Protection Agency says that CPTA members are disappointed in the results of the ratification vote.

“We firmly believe the amalgamation stood to create a global leader in seed innovation, production, processing, quality, and trade,” Hadley explains. “However, we respect the democratic process and will give these results full consideration as we discuss future direction with those Seed Synergy Partners that remain committed to a new vision for the future.”

In response to the vote, the Canadian Seed Trade Association (CSTA) released a statement on behalf of the four organizations, saying, “Over the last six weeks, members of five Canadian seed organizations have voted on an amalgamation proposal to become one new national seed organization, Seeds Canada. One organization, the Canadian Seed Growers’ Association, did not vote in favour. This result is disappointing, and the boards of each participating organization will now consider how to move forward.

“Without a unanimous decision, the boards of each organization will reconvene to determine the next steps. An update on this matter is anticipated by the middle of September”

Related: Moving closer to synergy in the seed industry

Canadian Seed Grower’s Association executive director Glyn Chancey says he was surprised that a large proportion of their membership was against the merger; a two-thirds majority was needed to pass the vote for the merger, but only 45 per cent of voters were in favour.

Check out the full conversation between Glyn Chancey and RealAg Radio’s Shaun Haney, below:

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